White River Valley 1988 SHOW REPORT

By Staff
Published on May 1, 1989

RR 1, Box 18 , Odon, Indiana 47562

September 9, 1988 was a big day for over 1,000 elementary school
children as they got to preview the 4th annual White River Valley
Antique Association Show held at the Daviess County Fair Grounds in
Elnora, Indiana on State Road 57. They were transported from eleven
schools by buses at regular intervals to see how their ancestors
lived and made their living. Many of these children had never seen
wheat being threshed or even been able to pet an animal. There is a
Fun Farm with all types of animals. Yes, this is the way our show
opens each year, with a different group of children each year!

The 1988 show was a huge success as over 100 antique tractors
and 200 gas engines were on display, as well as steam engines,
blacksmithing, grist milling, 12 horse hitch threshing, steam wheat
threshing, Baker fan, horse-powered straw baling, horse drawn
equipment, antique cars, shingle milling, saw milling, model
engines, toy tractors and cast iron seats. There were cross cut
sawing contests, antique tractor pulls, tractor slow races, pedal
pull with 86 kids participating and other games for the
children.

A large building housed a furnished antique house, a general
store, drug store, a barber shop, collections, quilts and quilting
demonstration, weaving, lye soap making, a club flea market,
homemade root beer, popcorn machine, and a wooden horse drawn
hearse. Lots of food was on hand, including beans cooked in an iron
kettle, apple butter, cider and sorghum being made, and homemade
ice cream made in a 25 gallon freezer powered by a gas engine.

Another building houses a horse drawn carriage and stagecoach
and other horse-drawn machinery, while another has hand tools and
still another was full of antique toy tractors and machinery, toys
and parts for sale.

Thursday afternoon preceding the show a 17 unit wagon train plus
several horseback riders traveled ten miles from the Old Settlers
Grounds in the neighboring town of Odon to the 30 acre fairgrounds
and later in the evening enjoyed a wiener roast.

A parade of power was held on Saturday and Sunday. Several music
groups entertained during the show.

A cast iron seat auction sale was featured on Saturday
afternoon.

Square dancing was the main event on Friday night. Saturday
night an antique tractor pull was held in the arena with 96 entries
lasting well past midnight. Country music was on the bandstand and
was enjoyed by all.

Sunday morning church was held for campers, exhibitors and home
town folks who like to attend. Gospel music followed the
service.

A big attraction for the children, besides their games, was the
one room school conducted by a school marm. The children took part
just as their ancestors were taught many years ago.

There was plenty of parking space and lots of camper hookups. A
free breakfast was available for exhibitors at the club food
stand.

A 3 cylinder 150 HP diesel Page engine has been purchased by the
club and is being restored and will be displayed at the 1989 show.
Exhibitors and visitors were from several states and at least one
foreign country.

A newsletter is sent out to members three times during the year
to keep them informed as our membership extends to a 100 mile
radius. We are fast becoming one of the best known shows in the
midwest.

As you can see we are a family oriented show, with something for
everyone! Our 1989 show is September 8-10, and we invite you
all!

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